The Most INSANE AI Image Upscaler, EVER!

PiXimperfect
19 Dec 202313:41

TLDRThe video showcases an AI image upscaling tool that uses generative AI to transform low-resolution images into high-quality ones with impressive details. The host demonstrates the process by uploading a soft, low-detail image and then applying the AI's upscaling, which significantly enhances the image's features, including skin texture, hair, and clothing. The platform 'magnific' is used, and the video also discusses the limitations and costs associated with using such technology. The AI's ability to add details is adjustable, and the video explores the effects of different settings, including the 'creativity' slider, which can lead to more or less detail. The video concludes with a discussion on the implications for photography and the potential future improvements in AI upscaling technology.

Takeaways

  • πŸš€ The video discusses a powerful AI image upscaling technology that can create highly detailed images from soft, low-resolution inputs.
  • πŸ” The AI uses generative AI to add details like skin texture, eyelashes, and even clothing embroidery to the upscaled images.
  • 🎨 A challenge with the AI is that it can sometimes alter the original subjects too much, changing their appearance significantly.
  • πŸ“ˆ The level of detail added by the AI can be adjusted using a 'creativity' slider, with higher settings allowing the AI more freedom to add details.
  • πŸ’° The platform used for upscaling is expensive, with limited credits and a need for resubscription once credits are used up.
  • 🎡 The video is sponsored by Epidemic Sound, a service that uses AI to suggest music tracks for videos based on the content of the video clip.
  • πŸ–ΌοΈ The upscaling process can be guided by a prompt, and different engines are available, including an automatic mode that works well most of the time.
  • πŸ–ŒοΈ Photoshop can be used to further refine the upscaled images, particularly to correct overdone details or changes to the subject's appearance.
  • 🌲 When upscaling landscapes, the AI can create new elements, such as trees or buildings, that were not present in the original image.
  • 🧐 The video poses a question for viewers about the ethics and implications of AI upscaling technology on the field of photography.
  • πŸ”— The video provides a link for a free trial of the upscaling service and mentions a discount for a plugin that aids in the retouching process.

Q & A

  • What is the main topic discussed in the video?

    -The main topic discussed in the video is the use of a generative AI image upscaler to enhance the details of low-resolution images.

  • What are the two types of images shown in the video to demonstrate the AI's capabilities?

    -The two types of images shown are AI-generated images and real photos, with a challenge for viewers to distinguish between them.

  • What platform is used for upscaling the images in the video?

    -The platform used for upscaling the images is called 'magnific'.

  • How does the AI upscaler add details to the images?

    -The AI upscaler adds details by generating new textures, skin pores, eyelashes, and other intricate features that were not present in the original low-resolution image.

  • What is the role of the 'creativity' slider in the upscaling process?

    -The 'creativity' slider determines the extent of detail and refinement the AI adds to the upscaled image. A higher creativity setting allows the AI more freedom to enhance the image, potentially deviating more from the original.

  • What is the issue with upscaling real photos using the AI discussed in the video?

    -The issue with upscaling real photos is that the AI tends to change the person's features significantly, sometimes resulting in an image that does not resemble the original person.

  • How can the final upscaled image be further refined using Photoshop?

    -The final upscaled image can be further refined using Photoshop by using various plugins and techniques such as dodging and burning, which can help to soften or enhance certain features and reduce any unwanted alterations made by the AI.

  • What is the cost associated with using the AI upscaling platform mentioned?

    -The AI upscaling platform is expensive, requiring a monthly subscription with a limited number of credits. Additional credits cannot be purchased, and once the credits run out, users may need to sign up again with a different email account.

  • What is the name of the music platform recommended for video content creators in the video?

    -The music platform recommended for video content creators is called 'Epidemic Sound'.

  • What is the potential ethical concern raised in the video regarding AI-generated images?

    -The potential ethical concern raised is that AI-generated images can be so realistic that they may be used to create deepfakes or manipulated in ways that could be misleading or inappropriate.

  • What is the viewer's challenge presented in the video?

    -The viewer's challenge is to determine which of the two presented images is AI-generated and which is a real photo, and then to observe the changes made by the AI upscaler.

  • How does the video demonstrate the capabilities of the AI upscaler?

    -The video demonstrates the capabilities by showing before and after comparisons of various images, including portraits, landscapes, and even a still from a video game, highlighting the added details and enhancements made by the AI.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 AI Image Generation and Enhancement

The video begins with a discussion on the balance between generative AI capabilities and the potential for over-processing. It showcases an AI-generated image that initially lacks detail but is later enhanced using a mysterious AI to add impressive details to the skin, lips, eyelashes, and eyebrows. The viewer is then challenged to distinguish between AI-generated and real images. The video introduces a platform called 'magnific' for upscaling images and discusses its cost and limitations. It also promotes 'epidemic sound' for sourcing music for videos. The host demonstrates the upscaling process, emphasizing the added details and textures to the image, and concludes with a discussion on the potential for AI in retouching and the ethical considerations of altering real photos.

05:01

πŸ–ΌοΈ Real Photo AI Upscaling and Photoshop Techniques

The video continues with an exploration of AI's impact on real photographs, noting that while AI can add texture and detail, it can also significantly alter the subject's appearance. The host shares their personal preferences regarding retouch levels and demonstrates the before and after effects of AI upscaling on a real photo. It is mentioned that the AI can change facial features, which may not always be desirable. The video also discusses the use of Photoshop to correct overdone retouching and to blend AI-generated details with the original image. The host emphasizes the importance of the 'creativity slider' in controlling the extent of changes made by the AI and shows examples of how different settings can lead to vastly different results, from subtle enhancements to extreme alterations.

10:02

πŸŒ„ AI Upscaling in Landscapes and the Future of AI Image Processing

The final paragraph addresses the use of AI upscaling in landscape photography and its potential to create new elements within an image. The host shares their thoughts on whether such alterations constitute true photography and invites viewers to share their opinions. The video concludes with a light-hearted experiment using a face from a video game character and discusses the limitations of the AI upscaling service, particularly its pricing model. The host also provides a link to a free AI face-swapping service and thanks viewers for their support, encouraging them to like, subscribe, and ring the bell for notifications to stay updated with future content.

Mindmap

Keywords

Generative AI

Generative AI refers to artificial intelligence systems that are capable of creating new content, such as images, music, or text. In the context of the video, it is used to upscale and enhance images, creating details that were not present in the original low-resolution version. The video discusses how this technology can produce 'insane details' in images, but also notes the need to strike a balance, as too much enhancement can lead to unrealistic results.

AI Image Upscaler

An AI Image Upscaler is a software tool that uses artificial intelligence to increase the resolution of images without losing quality, and in some cases, even enhancing the details. The video demonstrates the capabilities of such a tool, showing before and after comparisons of images that have been processed by the upscaler. It is central to the video's theme, which explores the potential and limitations of AI in image enhancement.

Adobe Stock

Adobe Stock is a stock image and video service provided by Adobe Systems. It is mentioned in the video as a source of real photographs that are compared with AI-generated images to illustrate the differences in quality and detail. The video uses Adobe Stock to highlight how AI upscaling can sometimes make images appear more natural than heavily retouched real photos.

Epidemic Sound

Epidemic Sound is a music streaming service that offers a vast library of tracks for video creators. In the video, it is mentioned as a sponsor and is praised for its AI-driven music suggestion feature, which automatically selects music based on the uploaded video clip's content. This service is relevant to the video's theme as it represents another application of AI technology in creative work.

Photoshop

Photoshop is a widely used image editing software by Adobe Inc. that professionals use for retouching and manipulating images. The video discusses using Photoshop to further refine AI-upscaled images, particularly when the AI-generated details are too extreme. It is an essential tool in the video's narrative for achieving a balance between AI enhancement and manual editing.

AI-Generated Image

An AI-Generated Image is a visual creation that is produced entirely by an artificial intelligence system. The video script explores the quality of these images, comparing them to real photographs and discussing the softness and lack of detail in the originals before AI upscaling. The concept is integral to the video's exploration of the capabilities and pitfalls of AI in creating realistic imagery.

Magnetic AI

Magnetic AI, likely a term used in the video to refer to the specific AI upscaling platform being discussed, is a tool that enhances image quality and detail through AI algorithms. The video provides a detailed walkthrough of using this platform, including the selection of optimization types and the adjustment of sliders to control the upscaling process.

Upscaling

Upscaling in the context of the video refers to the process of increasing the resolution of an image or video, typically from a lower to a higher definition. The AI Image Upscaler is used to perform upscaling, which is a central theme of the video as it demonstrates the impressive results and the challenges of maintaining the original subject's likeness.

Creativity Slider

The Creativity Slider is a control within the AI upscaling platform that allows users to adjust the level of detail and freedom the AI has in enhancing the image. A higher setting on the slider results in more significant changes and additional details, which can be both a benefit and a drawback, as shown in the video's examples.

GTA San Andreas

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (GTA San Andreas) is a popular video game developed by Rockstar Games. In the video, an image of a character named Carl 'CJ' Johnson from the game is used as an example to demonstrate the AI upscaling technology's ability to enhance and alter 3D render images.

3D Render

3D Render refers to the process of generating a 2D image or animation from a 3D model using computer graphics. In the context of the video, the term is used to describe one of the optimization settings in the AI upscaling platform, which is tested on an image from GTA San Andreas to show how it affects the final upscaled result.

Highlights

AI upscaling technology can generate highly detailed images from soft or low-resolution originals.

The AI uses generative AI to create insane details in areas like skin texture, lips, and eyelashes.

There's a challenge in distinguishing between AI-generated images and real photos.

AI-generated images often appear soft and lack certain details, making them distinguishable from real photos.

The platform 'Magnific' is used for upscaling, which is expensive and has limited credits.

Epidemic Sound is a sponsor that offers AI-assisted music selection for videos.

Different optimization settings are available for various types of images, such as portraits or films and photography.

The upscaling process can be guided by a prompt for more accurate results.

The AI upscaling can add significant details, even to the texture of the skin and body.

Photoshop can be used to further refine and control the details added by the AI.

AI upscaling can change the appearance of a person significantly, sometimes in undesirable ways.

The level of detail and change introduced by the AI can be adjusted using a 'creativity' slider.

High creativity settings can lead to excessive changes and even the generation of new, unintended elements.

Upscaling can be performed multiple times to increase detail, but this consumes more credits.

The AI's ability to upscale faces can be hit or miss, sometimes producing results that don't resemble the original person.

Landscapes and other non-portrait images can be upscaled with the AI creating new details like trees and buildings.

The cost of using the AI upscaling technology is considered high, limiting its accessibility.

The technology has the potential to revolutionize image enhancement but currently has limitations and high costs.